Manchester United Striker Joshua Zirkzee Set to Push for January Exit Despite Ruben Amorim's Resistance to Serie A Move
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is determined to leave Old Trafford in the upcoming January transfer window, despite manager Ruben Amorim's efforts to block his potential move to Serie A. Zirkzee, who has struggled for playing time this season, has expressed interest in a return to the Italian top-flight after finding minutes hard to come by at Manchester United.

Manchester United star Joshua Zirkzee is set to push for an exit from Old Trafford in the upcoming January transfer window despite Ruben Amorim's attempts to block his move to Serie A. The striker has found minutes hard to come by this season, sitting firmly down the Old Trafford pecking order as summer signings Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha have been preferred as the team's No.9 by Amorim.Zirkzee, who moved to Old Trafford from Bologna in the summer of 2024, has made only 11 appearances for United across all competitions. However, only four of those were starts, playing 372 minutes in total, and he has scored just once, providing the equaliser in a 2-1 win away at Crystal Palace at the start of December.The Dutch attacker has been linked with a move away from United ever since the summer, and there has been growing speculation over a return to Serie A, where he previously thrived with Bologna. However, ESPN reported earlier this week that United might wait until the latter stages of the January window to decide whether they will sanction the Netherlands international's exit. The Red Devils are already having to make do without attackers Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while captain Bruno Fernandes could miss around a month of action after picking up an injury against Aston Villa last weekend.Despite United's firm stance on his move, Zirkzee has reportedly "said yes" to Serie A giants AS Roma over a move in the January window, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The report adds that the 24-year-old had held positive talks with Roma sporting director Ricky Massara and manager Gian Piero Gasperini and after that he has verbally agreed to join the Italian side.Gasperini has also assured Zirkzee that he perfectly fits in his 3-4-2-1 system, which has further convinced the Dutchman, who is looking for regular game ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the summer. The attacker, however, will only leave once stars like Amad and Bryan Mbeumo return to the club from AFCON duties.Amorim had earlier made it very clear that they would only sanction a transfer if appropriate replacements could be found. The Portuguese had said: "'It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution. We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen. We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Amorim revealed earlier this month that United are prepared to strengthen in January, provided the "perfect" players for the long term become available. However, the former Sporting CP manager has stressed the importance of not making panic buys over the winter period - a "mistake" he believes the club have made in the past. "We can improve, we have space to have more players but we have a plan and we need to bring in players that we know, obviously it is hard to know for sure that everything is going to work,” Amorim told Sky Sports. "But we need to be certain with the players that we bring in, if we are not sure, if everyone is not aligned, it is better not to bring anyone and work with the players that we have. "That is clear for me. Maybe I should be different, like so many other managers, but that is my thinking for the club and I think the board thinks that, too. "We cannot make the same mistakes we did in the past and we need to survive these moments because we have players coming back from internationals and injury.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingLike Zirkzee, young English midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has also struggled for minutes under Amorim this season and is now pushing for a move away from Old Trafford. Speaking on Mainoo's future, Amorim, however, said: "Kobbie Mainoo will have the opportunity, he has all the time. He played in different positions - we talked about the position of Casemiro, he can do that. If you play with a three, he can play like we did in the last game with the position of Mason Mount, he can play there. He is going to be the future of Manchester United, that is my feeling, he just needs to wait for his chance and everything can change in football in two days."The Red Devils will end 2025 with a Premier League clash against relegation-threated Wolves on January 30.
Zirkzee's Struggle for Playing Time at Manchester United
Since joining Manchester United in 2024, Joshua Zirkzee has struggled to make an impact, with new signings Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha ahead of him in the pecking order. The Dutch striker has only managed 11 appearances this season, with limited game time and just one goal to his name.
Interest from Serie A Clubs
There have been persistent rumors linking Zirkzee with a move back to Serie A, where he previously impressed during his time at Bologna. Recent reports suggest that AS Roma has emerged as a potential destination for the 24-year-old, with Zirkzee reportedly keen on joining the Italian giants.
Amorim's Concerns and Zirkzee's Decision
Despite Ruben Amorim's reluctance to let Zirkzee leave without suitable replacements, the forward has reportedly agreed to a move to AS Roma. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini's assurance that Zirkzee would fit well into Roma's system has convinced the Dutchman, who is eager for regular game time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
United's Transfer Plans and Amorim's Approach
Amorim has emphasized the importance of not making hasty decisions in the transfer market, highlighting the need for long-term planning over short-term fixes. Manchester United are reportedly open to strengthening their squad in January, but remain cautious about making rushed acquisitions.
Future Prospects for Zirkzee and Mainoo
While Zirkzee looks poised for a move to Serie A, young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is also seeking opportunities away from Old Trafford. Amorim, however, sees Mainoo as a promising talent and believes he has a bright future at Manchester United, urging patience as opportunities may arise unexpectedly.
Way Forward for Manchester United
As Manchester United prepare to face Wolves in their final Premier League game of 2025, the club faces challenges in balancing squad depth and player departures. With key players missing due to injury and international duties, the Red Devils must carefully navigate the January transfer window to ensure a stable squad for the remainder of the season.

